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Buddhists practice Transcendental Meditation

More than 3,000 Buddhist monks in 100 monasteries throughout Southeast Asia have learned the Transcendental Meditation technique. One source of their inspiration to learn is the work of revered Japanese Buddhist monk, Reverend Koji Oshima, a longtime TM practitioner and certified TM teacher. According to Rev. Oshima, the Buddhist monks appreciate the
simplicity, effortlessness, and profound experience of transcendence,
which is gained almost immediately after starting the TM practice. Rev.
Oshima adds that transcendence provides the natural basis for the monk’s
subsequent prayers and practices.

During Maharishi’s
many tours of Asian countries, he often visited monasteries and spoke
personally to many Buddhist leaders. One prominent monk in Sri Lanka,
who is now the leader, or “Shan Kara,” of one the three streams of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, has been instrumental in encouraging monks throughout the country to take TM instruction from Reverend Oshima.

Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka beginning their day with the practice of the TM technique

Young students practicing the TM technique as part of their daily routine at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand

Reverend Oshima said the younger monks are especially inspired by
Maharishi’s integration of modern and ancient knowledge. “They were
particularly interested in the Unified Field chart, illustrating how the Unified Field of Natural Law,
as described by modern quantum physics, is experienced directly during
TM practice as the field of transcendental consciousness, the field of
Absolute Being.”

Reverend Oshima has been awarded an honorary doctoral degree by
Maharishi University for the significant contributions he has made to
society by promoting the experience of Nirvana—the spiritual foundation for the achievement of the goals of Buddhism. Through Reverend Oshima’s travels and teaching of the Transcendental Meditation technique
he has helped enliven the knowledge and direct experience of Absolute
Being in the lives of thousands of Buddhist monks—an influence that
helps heighten the peace, happiness and sustainable progress of these
monasteries and the world around them.

Reverend Koji Oshima (center) with students who have learned the TM technique at a monastery in Thailand

TM Becomes Integral Part of Buddhist School

Many
poor families in Thailand are not able to send their daughters to
school. As a result, young girls are too often employed in degrading
occupations putting them at risk of abuse, AIDS, exploitation, and
addiction. One school is growing rapidly because of its ability to help provide
education to this at-risk segment of Thailand’s population. Dhammajarine e Witthaya Free School provides
kindergarten through 12th grade education to more than 400 girls who
otherwise would have no opportunity to go to school. Several years ago the Buddhist nuns in charge of the school began integrating the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique and advanced TM programs into the school’s curriculum.By providing a rigorous, modern academic curriculum along with
Buddhist education, the school helps girls to not only lead a better
life, but to become the future leaders of their communities.

EXCERPTS FROM THE VIDEO: Acharn Yai, Director/Principal of the Dhammajarinee Witthaya School: "Dhammajarinee Witthaya School is the first and only
Buddhist boarding school in Thailand. We provide education according to
the standard curriculum along with this we also provide life-skills
training and Dharma studies (Buddhist teachings) up to the highest level
to culture their ethics."

Kru Muay, a teacher:“Our school in the first school in Thailand that
incorporates the TM technique to culture the students’ ethical values.
The students in this school learn TM at the beginning of the semester
when the new students arrive. Coming from different places their
behavior was quite aggressive and they didn’t pay attention to their
studies that much, but after we introduced TM and after they started
practicing, I feel that now some students are more settled and some pay
more attention to their studies.

“Because students have different educational backgrounds we cannot
expect them to change overnight. It’s something that needs time, but
observing their progress since they have started meditating I can see
that they have greatly improved in different ways in their behavior, in
their studies and in their relationship with the teachers and their
fellow students.”

Acharn Yai, Principal:

“(With TM practice) it becomes much easier to deal with
them. Their aggressive behavior decreases, their grades go up; they pay
more attention to whatever we teach them. When they have inner
happiness, they soak up whatever knowledge we give, unlike before.

“Before we introduced TM, we hardly sent students for competitions
anywhere because we felt that there were not ready. After TM, wherever
we send them they come back with an award. In the national memory
competition we’re very proud to say that our student won first place.
When the reporter asked about her winning she said that she won because
she meditates regularly.”

Students’ experiences:“Before I learned TM I was a good-for-nothing, pretty much!
Meditation has broadened my thinking, increased my self-confidence and
now I’m more diligent.”

“Before learning to meditate I felt frustrated and didn’t want to do
anything. But when I close my eyes to meditate, my frustration
decreases, my irritation subsides and I feel good. When I study, I can
focus on my studies more.”